Welcome to Pulse Wrestling’s coverage of the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. I would be live-blogging this tonight, but I had to work, so I figured to get something up in regards to this when I got home. To give you all the low-down as to who will be inducted tonight. here is the list compiled from WWE.com. I’m only providing the report from the televised portion of the ceremony. There was a live feed going at WWE.com earlier tonight, but again, I was at work.
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin
Ricky “The Dragon Steamboat
“Cowboy” Bill Watts
The Funks: Terry & Dory Jr.
Koko B. Ware
The Von Erichs
Howard Finkel
Opening Remarks & The Induction of Ricky “The Dragon Steamboat
We are live from the Toyota Center in Houston. Todd Grisham is here and he introduces the host for tonight’s ceremony, Jerry “The King Lawler”. He talks about why we are here tonight and he brings out the original party animal, Ric Flair. Ric mentions on how this was an honor to be here last year. It is also an honor to be here tonight to induct Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat. This is followed by a video highlighting Ricky’s career. Ric Flair talks after the break about how his greatest opponent was Ricky Steamboat. Steamboat was a true “good guy”. He always gave the fans 100% of the time and he and Steamboat wrestled around 2000 times. Thirty-five years they have been around and they shared their blood, sweat, and tears. He brings Steamboat out to the stage. After another commercial, Ricky takes his place as legend and he gives us his speech. He looks back 35 years and he talks about the friendships he shared and those that came and gone. He talks about the times the younger talent would ask him to watch their match and give his remarks. He talks about someone who sat next to him in an airplane and they talked about the business. He understood then and he really understands now. That man was Hunter Helmsey. Everytime he worked with Flair, they pushed the bar even moreso. He pauses and he talks about Jericho, who stands up…saying that him, Snuka, and Piper will take him to school tomorrow. He continues to name off other legends about how they were pushed to the limit. He thanks Jim Ross for all the time he commentated all his matches. Without that passion from everyone, he would not be here today. He says that the Hall of Fame ring he wears is his oscar.
Recap of what happened before the TV Broadcast
Jerry Lawler is back on the stage and he talks about Mr. WrestleMania v. the Streak. Lawler provides a preview of Michaels/Taker courtesy of the Legends of Wrestlemania video game. Speaking of WrestleMania memories, Jerry brings out “Mean” Gene Okerlund! He brings us a recap of everyone inducted earlier tonight.
The Induction of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
Jerry Lawler brings out Vince McMahon, who has the honors of inducting Steve Austin tonight. He brings up the unusual relationship between him and Steve. It is a love/hate relationship; he loves Steve – Steve hates Vince. He brings up some of the great moments between him and Steve. He says that Steve is the greatest WWE Superstar of all time. We take a look at the video highlighting Steve’s career. After the break, Vince McMahon introduces the toughest SOB in the WWE,, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. They just shook hands! That is shocking. No middle fingers flying tonight, just a shot of Austin’s big ring. The fans chant “Thank You Austin” and he takes his place as a true legend. He mentions the suit and how he hates to dress up. He has a minor complaint about the tailor who messed up his tux. He wants the fans to know that Steve Austin thanks them for sticking with him. He talks about his neck, his knees, and his divorce records. He even mentions when he “took his ball and gone home.” The fans chant “One More Match” and he says that he doesn’t know about that. Steve mentioned taking an aptitude test and it came back that he’d be a good Park Ranger. He’s a much better performer. He’s meant some good apples and some bad. He had his injuries and his time of greatness. He wants to move away from wrestling and into the movies and continue to entertain the fans. He hasn’t even read his notes and could go for another hour. He offers a cold drink to the young stars and that tomorrow night will be great. The beers get tossed to the stage and he does what he does best…drink beer. The confetti flies across the Toyota Center and Austin hands a beer to one John Cena. Does this mean that he passed the torch? Who knows.
Thank you for allowing me on your screens tonight and I will be back for real-time coverage of WrestleMania 25 tomorrow evening at 5:30 pm CST. Have a good night!
